430 DigestibUltfj of Palm Kernel Cake, etc. 



The experiments were carried out in a building specially designed 

 for nutrition investigations and the general arrangements proved in 

 every way adequate and satisfactory. 



Two castrated male sheep, each about twelve months old and weigh- 

 ing 98 lbs. at the outset, were employed, No. 1 being a Wensleydale- 

 Lincoln cross and No. 2 a Wensleydale-North Country cross. The 

 sheep were confined during the experimental periods in wooden crates 

 provided with feed-boxes and water-supplies. To ensure the comfort 

 of the animals the wool was kept fairly short. Quantitative collection 

 of the faeces was effected by means of a bag attached to the hind- 

 quarters of the animal and held in position by means of appropriate 

 harness. Collection of the urine was similarly effected by means of a 

 rubber-lined leather f-unnel strapped to the body and communicating 

 with a bottle placed under the crate. The general arrangements are 

 indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. 



The food-supplies were carefully weighed for each meal, the quantities 

 being so regulated that complete consumption was effected. Composite 

 samples of each food were made up for each period, portions being 

 reserved daily for the purpose. 



The fresh faeces after weighing were passed through a sausage mill, 

 mixed thoroughly, and determinations of moisture and nitrogen then 

 made without delay. 



The percentage of moisture in the fresh faeces was determined in 

 duplicate daily with large samples, by drying at 65 — 70° C. The dry 

 matter was then ground, bottled and reserved for the further analysis. 

 For this latter purpose the dried faeces were first exposed to the air in 

 thin layers for several days, after which determinations of moisture, 

 true protein (1), ether extract, crude fibre, ash and sand were made. 



During Period I the dried faeces of each day were dealt with separately 

 in this way, but for subsequent periods a composite sample for the period 

 was made up, trials with the daily faeces samples of Period I having 

 indicated that a satisfactory concordance with the mean of the records 

 for the individual days could be obtained in this way. 



The determinations of nitrogen in the fresh faeces were made daily 

 in quadruplicate. The results thus obtained are used throughout the 

 tables. Comparison with the total nitrogen of the dried faeces indicated 

 a loss in drying and storage ranging from 3-1 to 6-2 per cent, (mean, 

 4-0 per cent.) of the total nitrogen. 



The sheep were supplied with water ad lib. and a record kept of the 

 actual consumption. 



